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Wednesday, January 15, 2014

To Healthy Drivers Everywhere

So I went to the doctor today. Lupus has been flaring, and oral steroids weren't cutting it. I was expecting to either a) be told it sucks to be me until a rheumatologist has time to fit me in, or b) be given an order to get a massive dose of steroids through an IV at the hospital. Turns out my doctor rocks, and went for option c) give me a massive dose of steroids right there at his office. It was not, however, what I expected, as I usually like to warn friends and relations that I'm about to morph into a Bitchasaurus Rex. Still, drugs = good.

Needless to say, however, I'm not exactly feeling perky. The drugs haven't been in my system long enough to take down my fever or help the joint pain, my heart is going nuts, and the infusion wiped me out. Also, there were blizzard conditions on the roads today. Fun times.

Imagine my joy when I found someone without handicapped plates/tags sitting in the closest handicapped spot when I went on an errand. And this is something that has been happening a lot. As far as I can tell, people believe that if someone is sitting in the driver's seat then the car isn't parked, and they can use a handicapped spot.

Except not.

Think about it...if you are in a handicapped space for any reason and you are not handicapped then you are blocking that spot from being used by someone who is. It doesn't matter if you're waiting for your spouse to come out of the grocery store, loading stuff in your car or getting your **** together. Do it somewhere else! It's a huge pet peeve of mine that people do this. You might tell yourself "Oh, I'll move if anyone comes," but let's face it: how will you know another driver is disabled? Contrary to popular practice, is it illegal to drive with a handicapped sign hanging from your rear-view mirror. That means that law and/or safety oriented disabled drivers will not put up their sign until they actually park. There's no way to tell whether the car that just passed you is being driven by someone who will have to walk an extra two blocks because of your having "just stopped for a minute." And, no, a disabled person is not going to be able to get out of their car to request that you move. Kind of defeats the purpose of handicapped parking, really.

So, for the sake of all of those who are both fatigued and trying not to have a steroid-induced heart attack while battling a case of the noms, please, please reserve disabled parking spots for people who need it. kthxbye.